Philadelphia Phillies: Starting pitchers for sale
By Tal Venada
Competitive balance:
While clubs are bidding on Machado and/or Harper, they will also make offers to the top moundsmen for their rotation. But some teams may opt for the pitching instead of those prized bats. In other words, if they add an $18 million hurler to a $35 million hitter, can they increase annual payroll by $53 million?
Like the Phillies, the Atlanta Braves have many young arms competing for jobs. But it still will take 2-3 summers for them to make an impact in the major leagues. So, Atlanta must decide if it wants to pursue Harper or a veteran starter to replace Sanchez. Sound similar?
With Los Angeles (NL) losing Ryu and possibly not extending Clayton Kershaw due to a gradual velocity drop on his four-seam fastball to 90.9 mph since 2008, they could prefer signing a solid hurler for 4-5 campaigns instead. Realistically, they might have a greater need for a pitcher.
As for the Chicago Cubs, they must sort through their starters including Hamels and are unlikely to ink another. Additionally, Kris Bryant will be a free agent in three seasons, but they’ll want him to re-up in a year’s time. And they might not want to annually pay the increases on the Luxury Tax.
While the New York Yankees have reset their base tax rate for this offseason’s free agents, the starting staff is their first concern, not third base defense: Corbin is their target. And they may not care to exceed the competitive-balance threshold by $50 million per annum: Signing two may be too much.
Yes, shortstop Didi Gregorius will have TJ surgery, but position players have a shorter rehab time. In fact, he may only miss 2-3 months of ’19, and Machado’s $300 million to $400 million isn’t a short-term answer. Usually, GMs don’t make a move like that.
Even though the Milwaukee Brewers need a shortstop, they basically have an American League lineup. But their offense may not be able to completely carry their rotation. And while Nelson will return from right shoulder inflammation, expect them to pursue a starter more heavily than they did last July.